Our 2025 Hands-on Training Seminar will be Tuesday, Feb. 25 through Thursday, Feb. 27th
Dear Colleague:
The ISDVMA and Iditarod Trail Committee are joining forces to present a training seminar from Tuesday, February 25, through Thursday, February 27, 2025, for individuals interested in sled dog medicine and preparing for race participation as trail veterinarians. This program has been developed in response to the increasing demand for greater expertise and involvement in competitive mushing events, of which the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is premier. Lectures relevant to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting sled dogs during training and racing, as well as participation in the Iditarod pre-race veterinary exams, are included in the program. In addition, preparation of veterinarians for working and living in remote checkpoints under potentially severe weather conditions will be emphasized.
Lectures on Tuesday and Thursday will be virtual*. Of course, the Vet Checks (hands-on canine exams) on Wednesday will be “real”.
The meeting will be based at the Lakefront Hotel. For those who are Iditarod 2025 staff veterinarians, rooms will be provided for you at the Lakefront Hotel by the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Veterinarians who are not staff members may contact the hotel for room reservations as follows: Lakefront Hotel, 4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK 99517. Phone: 1-800-544-0553, Fax: 907-243-8815
Program Speakers
Peter D. Constable, BVSc, MS, Phd – Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American College of Veterinary Nutrition, MS and PhD in cardiovascular physiology and Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois.
Melissa l. Edwards, DVM, DACVECC – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Douglas, Alaska
Erika Friedrich, BVetMed, MRCVS – Emergency Department Head, VCA- Animal Emergency Critical Care, LifeCentre Partner Practices, Leesburg, Virginia
Dee Dee Jonrowe, BS – Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences and Renewable Resources, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Veteran musher of all major long-distance sled dog races in North America and Europe, including 36 Iditarods, and Recipient of exemplary dog care awards from all major races entered, Willow, Alaska
Marianne Lian, DVM, MS, Ph.D – Director of Canine Drug Testing Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Associate Professor Dept of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway, and Affiliated Faculty Dept of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Program Schedule
This program is preliminary.
TUESDAY – February 25, 2025
8:00 – 9:00 am Checkpoint Protocol: Preparing the Veterinarian for Trail Responsibilities
9:00 – 9:15am Break
9:15 – 10:15am Checkpoint Protocol: Criteria for Evaluating the Racing Sled Dog by Physical Exam. Including BCS evaluation and brief orthopedic exam techniques
10:15 – 10:30am Break
10:30 – 11:30am Checkpoint Protocol: Trail Medications
11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch
12:30 – 1:30pm Erika L. Friedrich, Returned Dog Program and Protocols
1:30 – 1:45pm Break
1:45 – 2:45pm Marianne Lian, Drug Testing Program: A Study in Chain of Custody and Laboratory Testing
2:45–3:00pm Break
3:00 –4:00pm Sled Dog Orthopedic Topics (Part 1)
4:00 – 4:15pm Break
4:15 – 4:45pm Sled Dog Orthopedic Topics (Part 2)
4:45 – 5:15pm Sled Dog Musculoskeletal Injuries – Treatments on the trail
WEDNESDAY – February 26, 2025
8:00am – 4:00pm Iditarod Pre-Race Veterinary Exams (Wasilla)
THURSDAY – February 27, 2025
8:00 – 9:00am Peter D. Constable, Alaskan Sled Dogs and the Athlete’s Heart (Part 1)
9:00 – 9:15am Break
9:15 – 10:15am Peter D. Constable, Alaskan Sled Dogs and the Athlete’s Heart (Part 2)
10:15 – 10:30am Break
10:30 – 11:30am Peter D. Constable, Sled Dog Nutrition
11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch
12:30 – 1:30pm Melissa L. Edwards, Emergency and Critical Care Topics (part 1)
1:30 – 1:45pm Break
1:45 – 2:45pm Melissa L. Edwards, Emergency and Critical Care Topics (part 1)
2:45 – 3:00pm Break
3:00 – 4:00pm Dee Dee Jonrowe, Sled Dog Kennel Management
4:00 – 4:15pm Break
4:15 – 5:15pm Dee Dee Jonrowe, Training and Conditioning of the Sled Dog for Athletic Competition
Online Registration
Pre-registration is discounted until February 11th, 2025.
Use the downloadable form and follow the instructions on the form, or scroll down to complete your registration online today.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: 16.5 for full attendance*
Location: Lakefront Hotel, 4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99517
*CE credits are 16.5 for full attendance including the Vet Checks, 14 Credits for virtual attendance (lectures only). Individual licensing authorities may require additional documentation such as registration receipts or other program information. This meeting is not RACE approved. Final determination of the acceptance of a program for CE accrual is the responsibility of the individual licensing authority. Contact your state veterinary board for CE requirements.
PayPal registration – to come. Use downloadable form.
We are having technical difficulties with online registration using PayPal. Please use the downloadable form to register for now.